Electrohydrodynamic Processing

EHDP, also commonly referred to as electrospinning (for fibers) or electrospraying (for particles), is the voltage-driven fabrication technology at the core of Bioinicia’s Fluidnatek ® equipment range. These processes have been Investigated thoroughly in academia over the last 25 years as a means to fabricate nano and/or micro-structured fibers and particles and are now being adopted by industry for a broad range of applications. The electrospinning process as well as electrospraying are becoming an advantageous option in some industrial applications replacing other traditional techniques used so far such as the spray-drying or the lyophilization because of the special benefits and distinguishing characteristics that electrospinning and electrospraying provide.

There are several key characteristics which differentiate this technology from alternative processes:

– Suitable for an extensive portfolio of materials, including polymers, proteins, inorganic materials and composites, providing the flexibility to tailor the products’ properties according to the application requirements

– Capable of producing single-phase or multi-component fibers and particles e.g. blended or core-shell structures (being the coaxial electrospinning one of the most well- known processes of interest for researchers)

Coaxial electrospinning is doable with a single-nozzle injector but also using a multi-nozzle spinning head, in order to produce larger batches

Can be used in cleanroom environment and qualified for GMP and ISO13485 processes

Possibility of carrying out direct writing/patterning techniques thanks to the 3D motion and module for trajectories insertion of the spinning head (exclusive feature of Fluidnatek® technology integrated in the Fluidnatek LE-100 machine as an optional ability)

Special design for solvent vapours extraction, allowing maximum safety and avoiding any risk of explosion in the experimental chamber. Actively regulated exhaust system also available to prevent the solvent vapours from escaping out the experimental chamber even when opening the door while the electrospinning process is running